Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane urged President Trump to coordinate with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to stop Iranian oil shipments and break Tehran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Keane made the call Friday during an interview on the "Cats & Cosby" radio show, telling hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby that the U.S. should prevent Iran's oil-carrying vessels from reaching their destinations.
The former Army vice chief of staff's recommendation comes as Iran continues to leverage its control over the world's most critical oil chokepoint. Twenty percent of global petroleum passes through the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, giving Tehran outsized influence over energy markets and global commerce.
Keane's proposal to involve China reflects the complex reality of Iran sanctions enforcement. Beijing remains one of Iran's largest oil customers despite U.S. sanctions, purchasing Iranian crude at discounted rates through various workarounds. Chinese cooperation would significantly enhance any effort to restrict Iranian oil exports, as Hormuz traffic has already dropped under Trump's pressure.
The general's timing appears strategic, coming as Trump faces mounting pressure over Middle East policy. The administration has deployed additional naval assets to the region, with Navy destroyers clearing mines from the vital shipping lane to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels.
Iran's ability to threaten Strait of Hormuz shipping has long been a cornerstone of its regional strategy. The regime regularly deploys fast attack boats and naval mines to intimidate tanker traffic, using the threat of closure as leverage in international negotiations. Any sustained blockade would send oil prices soaring and disrupt global supply chains.
For American taxpayers and consumers, Iranian control over Hormuz translates directly into higher gas prices and increased military spending. The Pentagon maintains a costly naval presence in the Persian Gulf specifically to keep the waterway open, with multiple carrier strike groups rotating through the region annually.
Keane's call for Trump-Xi cooperation acknowledges that unilateral U.S. action has limits. China's vast merchant fleet and state-controlled shipping companies give Beijing unique leverage over Iranian oil transport that Washington lacks. Previous attempts to enforce Iran oil sanctions without Chinese buy-in have produced mixed results.
The proposal also highlights Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy, viewing even adversarial relationships with countries like China as potential tools for advancing U.S. interests. Whether Xi would agree to restrict Iranian oil access remains unclear, given Beijing's own energy security concerns and desire to maintain regional influence.
Watch for signs of Trump-Xi communication in coming days and any corresponding moves by Chinese shipping companies to distance themselves from Iranian oil transport.
